Nintendo has a strong way of keeping people guessing, and if the rumors about the Nintendo Switch 2 are to be believed, it may happen soon. The closer we get to the end of the fiscal year 2024/2025, the more we wonder what’s in store for the hugely successful Switch. So this article talks about everything you need to know about the Nintendo Switch 2, including the release date, what specs we could expect, and how much it might by pulling a few threads of information from different sources.
Release Date Speculation
The big question – when exactly will the Nintendo Switch 2 hit the market? In an announcement from the company’s President Shuntaro Furukawa on Twitter (formerly known as X), some light was shed on the situation at hand. Furukawa said that the reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2 should come before the fiscal year ends in March 2025. That falls in line with how the original console was announced in October 2016 before launching that March.
With this timeline in mind, it is realistic to expect at least a similar launch date for the Switch 2. The reveal would be expected around October or November 2024, and the console would land sometime before summer 2025. A generous window of time would create more speculation and also give developers good room to improve some launch titles.
Hardware & Specifications
The expected specifications of the Nintendo Switch 2 have been a hot topic among gamers and people in the gaming industry. Some leaks and reports have given us a rough idea of what to expect:
- CPU and GPU: Rumors are that the Switch 2 will be powered by a custom ARM SoC by Nvidia named “DRAKE” (T239). The chip will likely be based on Nvidia’s Ampere architecture, which should improve upon both the performance and efficiency of the mediocre Tegra X1 chipset used in the Switch right now.
- Display: A larger 8-inch LCD screen is rumored for the new Switch, instead of the 6.2-inch display on the current Switch. Though it’s often nearly impossible to think of a modern device without dreaming of OLED screens, keeping the price under check may likely be the reason for Nintendo’s decision to stick with LCD technology.
- Memory and Storage: The Switch 2 leaks mention 12GB LPDDR5 RAM with a 256GB storage drive. We could see a massive upgrade over the current model’s 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage.
- Additional Features: There are also talks about 4K upscaling capabilities, powered by Nvidia’s DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) technology, to allow for higher resolution gaming when the system is docked and possibly with ray tracing support, another cutting-edge graphical feature.
Design and Controllers
While the Switch 2 is expected to retain the hybrid design of its predecessor, combining portable and docked gaming, several intriguing changes are rumored:
Although the Switch 2 is expected to still be a hybrid system like its predecessor (being able to perform both as a typical portable and when connected to a dock), there are many interesting new features that have been rumored:
- Joy-Cons: Leaks suggest that the new Joy-Cons might connect with the main body of the console by using electromagnets, rather than the rail system which is in the current Nintendo Switch. If it did, this would provide a safer and more ergonomic experience. Outside of that, we should see new buttons and extra metal parts for strength.
- Docking Station: Another patent reveals an overhauled dock that features a back panel that rotates to hide the cables. Such a design for the “swivel block” might allow for a more user-friendly setup of gaming stations.
Backward Compatibility and Games
Andy also mentions the importance of backward compatibility (many gamers won’t buy a new system unless they can play the games they already own), and he states that the Switch 2 would play the original Switch cartridges. This would essentially be a similar comfort to the 3DS playing DS titles. What we don’t know is how digital games and subscriptions like Nintendo Switch Online will transfer over to the new console.
As for actual release titles, well, speculation is rife. The latest Pokémon game, possibly Pokémon Legends Z-A might be released in March 2025 alongside Switch 2. Another strong possibility for a Nintendo Switch game is Metroid Prime 4, which has been in development for the past few years. After that, Nintendo may be working on sequels to well-received franchises like Super Mario Odyssey and Starfox as well.
Price Speculation
Competitively pricing the Switch 2 will be essential for Nintendo, especially with rivals like the Steam Deck and other competing handhelds on the way. The Switch 2 could launch with a $300 or even a $350 asking price, and still be powerful yet accessible to a large base with major upgrades over the $200 Switch Lite. Although other sources imply a $400 price for the more advanced hardware and features. The rumored price point would put it in direct competition with the Steam Deck, which starts at US $399.
Colors and Battery Life
No such details have emerged as of now regarding the colors of what is to-be-called Switch 2. Looking at Nintendo’s track record, though, there’s every chance that the Switch Pro’s variants, as the many different colors of the Switch Lite, will be a broad spectrum of vibrant hues outside of the furnace of gray beige.
Battery life is still another issue that may merely be a presumption at this point. So while upgraded hardware frequently requires more power, productivity gains in the latest metal could offset that. The rumors are all over the place, with battery life numbers being anywhere from 4-6 hours to 8-12 hours depending on use.
Final Words
As we wait for the official word from Nintendo, you can bet this is only going to spark even more excitement and speculation about the Nintendo Switch 2. From new hardware changes and titles to the release date itself, there is much interest to anticipate. We have yet to see if the Switch 2 will follow in the same path as its predecessor in that department, but what’s for sure is that Nintendo’s coming for the crown for portable game consoles.
Stay tuned for more as we close the end of the fiscal year, and what could be one of the most interesting and great console releases in recent history.
